Confident that Earthly Kingdoms Don't Intimidate God

No matter what country you live in, you will find that intimidation is a big problem for mankind.  From inside the halls of our schools to the secret meetings going on in government, intimation is a tool used by many to try to get their way.  Another word for "intimidation" is "bully".  The earthy powers have always tried to intimate God and His people.  In Daniel chapter 8, God will show Daniel that no matter how scary man's kingdoms may look and sound, God is never frightened or scared.  God describes the Persian kingdom as being the strongest, and yet in time it will fall apart into pieces (8:3-4,7,20).  God describes the Greek kingdom as "scary fast", and yet it too will come to an end when Alexander the Great dies unexpectedly at the border of India (8:5-8;21-22).  And finally, God shows Daniel the wicked and sinful kingdom of Antiochus IV (type of the anti-Christ), but it too will crumble under the feet of Jehovah God.

The problem for many Christians is that we spend too much time worrying about earthy governments and kingdoms and lose sight of the only Kingdom that will never fail nor be destroyed.  The Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is a permanent kingdom, that will last forever (Is. 9:7).  In fact, we are told by Jesus Himself that His Kingdom has come already come to earth through the ministry and work of the church.  It is the message of the church to declare that God's Kingdom is here and expanding as people come out of the darkness and place their faith and trust in the gospel message.  Yet, we also are told that God's Kingdom has yet to be completely fulfilled or realized.  This completion will take place when Jesus comes back the second time; and at that point this will mark the end of every earthy kingdom, no matter how strong, fast, or sinful they may be.  When Christians begins spending more time praying and living for God's heavenly Kingdom rather than worrying about what is going on in Washington, Moscow, Beijing, or Paris, then we will all experience a less stressful life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.